Future stars on display for Astros

For the next three days, some of the most talented young players in Latin America are expected to perform for Astros Latin America scouting director Felix Francisco and for amateur scouting director Bobby Heck in the Dominican Republic.

It should tell you something what the Astros think about this tryout camp that Heck has been asked to attend the showcase. For the first time in a very, very long time the Astros aren’t just conceding the top Dominican talent to the top money clubs.

At least three players in the group will draw seven-figure bonuses, and the Astros should be commended for at least making a run at them. Out of the 25 to 30 players that are expected to show up, I would believe the Astros will sign at least one.

It’s no secret it will take some time to replenish the farm system, but Ed Wade has a strong track record of building a franchise through solid scouting and player development. It won’t come overnight. At the least, it will be three years before you can start seeing the fruits of Wade’s labor in terms of building the organization’s farm system back up.

But I can tell you that you would be ragged if you ran the schedule Heck and some of his scouts are holding these days.

We’ll try to ask Wade permission to let us do a live chat with Heck in the next two weeks.

The June draft is about six weeks away, and the Astros have some good picks, starting with the 10th overall this year.

Heck did quite well helping the Milwaukee Brewers stock their farm system. Wade did a good job supervising the men who drafted Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and some of the other young folks who helped the Philadelphia Phillies with the NL East last year.

Are you pleased the Astros are holding this tryout showcase in the Dominican for the first time?

What’s your greatest concern about the farm system?

Are there some local high school or college kids that you think the Astros should be watching? If so, send me their names and I’ll get a scout friend of mine to give me a top 5 or top 10 list of the folks you guys mention.